I'm surprised no one has mentioned the the Bell STI/STI-R ... apperantly this detector is 100% undetectable. Here in Ontario, police use Spectre II radar detector detectors. You can get in a lot of trouble for having a RD. Not to mention get it taken away.

The best detectors are currently the Valentine 1, Escort 9500ci, Escort Redline and Bel STi-R+. The V1 and Redline are "windshield mount" and the 9500ci and STi-R+ are "remote" mount. All are stealth (undetectable by a radar detector detector) except the V1; important if you drive in VA or DC. They are the most sensitive detectors available. You've spent plenty on your BMW. Don't skimp and get a cheap detector because the cheaper ones do not perform as well. There is lots more to say about this topic so do some Internet research.

Also, don't forget about a laser jammer if it is allowed in states where you drive. And in the end, it is not the detector that will save you from a ticket but the way you drive and your attention while driving. Detectors are just a supplement.

Based on the reviews I've read, I went with the V1. I don't do much city driving, and I figured the V1 would be fine since I won't need to worry too much about false alarms. I was sold by the directional indicators as well as the indicator that shows how many radars it detects.

I agree with the comments that technology has changed. I have a Valentine, but feel that I need a laser jammer to be fully protected today in my state. This is an added expense, but a necessary one. A few years ago, things were different. I don't have one yet, but am looking. The laser detectors built into the radar detectors are pretty much useless.

My research has led me to a Beltronics STi-R coupled with Laser Interceptor's BMW EDITION QUAD. I have been contemplating the purchase for several months now, appreciate the advice given so far and would love to hear more.

It's important to note that the "plus" is the current version (STiR+). I have been using this unit for a few weeks now, and it is absolutely worth the money. What is important to me: equal or superior performance to any other radar detector, lockout of false alerts, red light camera alerts, and nothing suction-cupped to the windshield.

I also intend to get the BMW edition LI Quad, though it's not a priority right now.

The openness for user reporting is a major weakness. I've read that law enforcement is reporting true/frequent traps as false reports. I saw evidence to support this when I briefly used Trapster; for instance, the Trapster database was practically a black hole when it came to Springfield, IL. Anyone that has driven on I-55 through Springfield knows that there are some pretty regular spots to see highway patrol camping out.

Properly scanning your surroundings is the best tool, followed by a proper radar detector; Trapster should not be seen as a replacement.

Valentine 1 - one of the major things the V1 has which others don't are arrows that show you where the radar is coming from which in my eyes is useless because if a radar is coming in, I don't give a shit what direction it's coming from, I'm going to be cautious regardless. The V1 also has a lot of false alarms.

Passport 9500 - is the other "best" detector. It has built in GPS which learns false alarms at specific locations and stops giving false alarms (which is a huge feature) and it has a database of red light cameras. Because it has GPS, you can even mute out your own false alarms by hitting mute 3 times so it stops bothering you I the future ONLY IF IT'S THE SAME SIGNAL AT THE SAME LOCATION. If a new signal is present is at the same location where a false signal is marked, it will still tell you.

Escort, the company that makes the Passport, just released a very new feature called Escort Live. It's a special wire for your detector which syncs with your iPhone or Android over Bluetooth. The point of Escort Live is to use other radar detectors owners detections and signals in your area to show you way ahead of time where a speed trap, laser, or live radar unit may be so you are careful. Obviously Live will need a healthy amount of users to work well, but it is a brilliant approach to radar detections. Escort Live, along with all the other GPS features of 9500 is what sold me on it and I just got my Live Cabel on Friday.

Hope this helps. You may also try some radar forums for comprehensive comparisons of 9500 vs V1.

I have it, but started using Trapster recently. I think Trapster probably has the most users.

I wish all of these companies would collaborate and make a single radar detector network. Until there's a critical mass on one of them they're all useless for real time data. However for historical data ("known enforcement points") they're useful even if only a few people use it.

I have it, but started using Trapster recently. I think Trapster probably has the most users.

I wish all of these companies would collaborate and make a single radar detector network. Until there's a critical mass on one of them they're all useless for real time data. However for historical data ("known enforcement points") they're useful even if only a few people use it.

Valentine 1 - one of the major things the V1 has which others don't are arrows that show you where the radar is coming from which in my eyes is useless because if a radar is coming in, I don't give a shit what direction it's coming from, I'm going to be cautious regardless. The V1 also has a lot of false alarms.

Passport 9500 - is the other "best" detector. It has built in GPS which learns false alarms at specific locations and stops giving false alarms (which is a huge feature) and it has a database of red light cameras. Because it has GPS, you can even mute out your own false alarms by hitting mute 3 times so it stops bothering you I the future ONLY IF IT'S THE SAME SIGNAL AT THE SAME LOCATION. If a new signal is present is at the same location where a false signal is marked, it will still tell you.

Agreed on both points. Never understood why everyone hypes up the arrows of V1. Who cares where it's coming from? Pointless. The 9500 Redline is probably the best bet if you don't have "green light cameras" in your area. If you do, get the 9500xi (has GPS).

For those of you who have been caught by the police, do you remove your radar detector when you are stopped or do you leave it in place? Reason for asking is that the cops may not cut you any slack if they see you with the detector.

For those of you who have been caught by the police, do you remove your radar detector when you are stopped or do you leave it in place? Reason for asking is that the cops may not cut you any slack if they see you with the detector.

I had 8500 x50 for two years, I liked it, except false alarm. So I switched to 9500ix, and very happy~ valentine 1 and redline also very good, but still, if you live in a city, there will be lots of false alarm which makes me go crazy..

radar is dated technology, period. In my opinion get a laser jammer, since thats all the real cops are using anyway and it'll prevent those serious tickets from coming in. Any ticket i've ever gotten was b/c a cop was using a laser gun, radar detectors are useless unless u wanna know where the nearest strip malls are

radar is dated technology, period. In my opinion get a laser jammer, since thats all the real cops are using anyway and it'll prevent those serious tickets from coming in. Any ticket i've ever gotten was b/c a cop was using a laser gun, radar detectors are useless unless u wanna know where the nearest strip malls are

I'm not sure what is meant by a "serious ticket" with regards to laser, because you'll get ticketed for speeding whether you're caught with radar or laser. The use of radar vs. laser really depends on what law enforcement prefers to use in your area. While x-band and POP are rarely used anymore, k-band and ka-band are still widely used. Common sense and a good radar detector should be the first defenses. A good laser jammer system (that is properly installed) should provide security against laser, since the laser detection on a radar detector will only let you know that you're about to be pulled over (of course, if you were speeding at the time).

And as for the strip mall issue, there are multiple radar detectors out there (including the STiR+ that I mentioned earlier) that use a GPS signal to mark and lock out false alerts. These units are more expensive, but it's really not that much if you're already considering a laser jammer.

I know that the V1 has a very loyal following as does Escort. I currently own a Passport 9500xi, Passport Solo S3 (cordless) and two Escort Qi45 remote radar detectors (one installed the other awaiting installation). I also owned a K40 RL360 remote detector that was in my MB C300 which I recently sold. I have not done any scientific testing, but all of these detectors have proven helpful to me in avoiding tickets. With that being said, I am not buying any more detectors that stick on my windshield or any visible parts of my car. I bought the two Qi45s from Best Buy that were clearanced down to $209; so I bought the remaining two in stock. Of all these detectors, I liked the K40 the best, but with the price I paid, the Qi45 is an absolute steal.

The best detectors are currently the Valentine 1, Escort 9500ci, Escort Redline and Bel STi-R+. The V1 and Redline are "windshield mount" and the 9500ci and STi-R+ are "remote" mount. All are stealth (undetectable by a radar detector detector) except the V1; important if you drive in VA or DC. They are the most sensitive detectors available. You've spent plenty on your BMW. Don't skimp and get a cheap detector because the cheaper ones do not perform as well. There is lots more to say about this topic so do some Internet research.

Also, don't forget about a laser jammer if it is allowed in states where you drive. And in the end, it is not the detector that will save you from a ticket but the way you drive and your attention while driving. Detectors are just a supplement.

Cheers.

+1, couldn't agree more. No detector will catch every 5-0 out there, especially ones who have all systems off and are just cruising around.

As for choosing one over the other, the 9500ix is plenty sensitive and catches Ka fine. Can't tell you how many times I've heard it go off and I'm like "where???" and then 30 secs. later....AH there's 5-0, I see you...